I just learned that if you have a defect along the pathway that makes cortisol (a 21-hydroxylase defect, to be exact), your body will go into overdrive to produce all the intermediates in the pathway on the way to cortisol. It's like if someone doesn't return your phone calls: you may call and call again until they call you back and you know they've received your message. While the missing end-product (cortisol) is one thing, excess of these intermediates can wreak havoc all over the body: in particular, the excess testosterone in females (especially fetuses) leads to male characteristics (such as male or ambiguous genitalia). Treating the mother with the end-product -- returning the phone call -- will signal to the fetus that everything is OK. The overdrive will recede, and a female baby will end up normal.
Last night I had a pasta primavera for dinner (makes two servings):
- 4 small zucchini or 1/2 large zucchini, cut into rounds
- 1/2 cup English peas
- 2 chopped scallions or other herbs (parsley, etc.)
- 3 sliced or chopped garlic cloves
- ~1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp butter (optional)
- dash of white wine (optional)
- 1/2 box spaghetti
- parmesan
- hot chili flakes
- salt and pepper
The key to this, I think, is to barely cook the vegetables. To barely cook the pasta, even. As the pasta water boils, heat the oil and butter in a frying pan and add the garlic (and wine if you're using it). Cook at medium heat until fragrant; add the zucchini and herbs and cook for 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat and wait for the pasta to finish. When the pasta can bend but before it's fully cooked, drain almost all of the water and pour the pasta plus some pasta water into the frying pan with the zucchini. Add the peas and cook at high heat until the water has evaporated and the pasta is done to your liking. Season with parmesan, chili flakes, salt and pepper.
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